Main Entry:

dis·tant

Pronunciation:

\ˈdis-tənt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin distant-, distans, present participle of distare to stand apart, be distant, from dis- + stare to stand — more at stand

Date:

14th century

1 a: separated in space : away <a mile distant> b: situated at a great distance : far-off <a distant galaxy> c: separated by a great distance from each other : far apart d: far behind <finished a distant third>2: separated in a relationship other than spatial <a distant cousin> <the distant past>3: different in kind <from two very distant backgrounds>4: reserved or aloof in personal relationship : cold <was distant and distracted>5 a: going a long distance <distant voyages> b: concerned with remote things <distant thoughts>

— dis·tant·ly adverb

— dis·tant·ness noun